London: After a victory in round five, World Champion and NIIT MindChampion, Viswanathan Anand appeared to have perked up and played a sparkling game against former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik of Russia. However the effort could only earn him a draw as Kramnik defended accurately in the sixth round of the London Chess Classic 2011.
The battle between these two World Champions was the highlight of Round six, as they have been adversaries for almost two decades and decisive results between them have been rare. Anand had defeated Kramnik comprehensively in their World title clash in 2008 at Bonn, Germany.
Anand who has been bogged down by draws, uncorked a superb sacrifice to liven up the proceedings at the Olympia Conference Centre but Kramnik returned back a piece for two pawns to blunt out Anand’s dangerous play.
The Category 20, nine player Round Robin event is poised for an exciting finish with just three more rounds to do. All the four encounters in the sixth round ended in draws but they were hard fought ones, far from the dull routine ones. A victory fetches 3 points while 1 point is awarded for a draw.
Hikaru Nakamura with 11 points is the sole leader though he has played one game more than Vladimir Kramnik, Magnus Carlsen and Luke McShane who are bunched behind him with 9 points each. Nakamura on his 24th birthday on Friday had to play precisely against McShane to earn the draw.
Carlsen had a bye and assited the commentary team. Michael Adams after three back to back defeats would be a relieved player after holding Levon Aronian to a draw.
Anand and Levon Aronian follow next with 6 points apiece, then Nigel Short with 4 points while Adams and David Howell are at the bottom with 2 points each.
Anand wielding Whites once again stuck to the Queen Pawn opening and it was a Queen’s Gambit Declined variation where Anand sacrificed a rook for
A knight on the 25th turn. Kramnik however in turn counter sacrificed a bishop for two pawns to bring parity to the game. The draw was signed on the 39th turn when all the fizz had gone out of the position.
Anand will take on Aronian with the Black pieces in a crucial game in Round 7, late Saturday night. On 11th December, on his 43rd birthday, Anand wielding Whites is paired against Carlsen in the 8th round.
Round six
Round 6: Friday, December 9, 2011
Michael Adams½-½Levon Aronian
Vishy Anand½-½Vladimir Kramnik
David Howell½-½Nigel Short
Luke McShane½-½Hikaru Nakamura
Magnus Carlsen (bye) – assisting commentary
